Home Prices Rise Fifth Straight Month

New York, NY, Sept. 28, 2010--Home prices rose for the fifth straight month in July, but the rate of growth slowed, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller 20-city home price index.

Prices edged up 0.6% in July compared with June. On a year-over-year basis, prices rose 3.2% compared with July 2009.

"Anyone looking for home prices to return to the lofty 2005-2006 levels might be disappointed," said David Blitzer, spokesman for Standard and Poors. "Judging from the recent behavior of the housing market, stable prices seem more likely."

Half the 20 cities have recorded gains over the past year.

Las Vegas is the only market to have hit a new low during July.